Why are people so enamored with finding a "unique" name?

It seems that some parents are so keen on having a "unique" name that they are just making up weird nonsense words and calling it a name. I don't understand this. Can someone please explain why using one of the vast number of existing names is a bad idea? What's with the urge for a "unique" name? I really am missing something here.

Why are people so enamored with finding a "unique" name?
It comes down to people wanting to think both they and their child is unique and special. While it is true that we are all unique in many ways, there are a lot more similarities than we like to admit. As a result, to get the unique identity the parents want for their child, they have to go way outside the box to come up with a name. And of course as more and more people pick odd names or odd spellings, there will eventually be overlap as people hear them or see them and say "That's cute, I think I will name my next one that."





My wife and I are trying to pick a name that not everyone else has, but if our child runs into another child with the same name that's fine too. The child can be unique on their own without some off-the-wall name.
Reply:Possibly because they want their baby to be the only one.





It is sad because names are things you keep for your life so they should be given with consideration for that. Some names that are given in one language have a meaning in another language and as such may not be one that should be given to a new baby.





Having worked in data entry for years, we had a few unusual names cross the years, Unborn was one of them, Vagina was another, and a few were names that were 'dirty words' in our American English dialect, but perfectly respectable in their own country.





People should research the meanings of the names that they choose to give their new babies, such things are significant. In some families certain names must be handed down from one generation to the next, often using Grandma's name for a middle name if not Grandma's precise name.






Reply:I seriously think it is a conspiracy to drive teachers up the wall when on the first day of class they have to ask each student how in the world they are supposed to pronounce their names.





Lol, jk. I think parents are determined to have their kids go to school and not meet another person in their class with the same name. (in school there was usually at least 2 people with my name "Sarah") so it is understandable I guess. I just don't understand the names that are based of of brand names, or fruits? weird.
Reply:i dont get it either... my name is caroline star and my whole life i've been called carolyn!.. even for the first 21 years of my life, my aunt called me carolyn and wrote it on all my b-day and christmas cards! the thing is, she's from north carolina.. similar enough! so a couple of years ago, i threw a fit and word got back to her so she stopped! Anyways, my point is, if people can screw my name up the majority of the time.. and i've been made fun of since i can remember for my middle name, then i feel bad for all the kids that have "unique" names!
Reply:I'm not sure, I hate it when people spell names trashy or make ones up to be "unique" I like traditional, yet uncommon names. So names that are actual names and have meaning to me or my heritage...but aren't used all the freakin' time, mostly because I don't want their to be 12 other "Jessica"s or whatever in the kids class at school.
Reply:You know what? I'm sick of people saying unique is a bad thing!





My kids are named


AMETHYST


LAKE


TORY


EMBER


JARRAH





and they all love their unique names!





Why should names be traditional and boring? Why can't people express creativity?





My own name is fairly unique: Honey. I don't love my name, but I do love that I have only ever met one or two other people with the same name.





Thumbs down this answer all you like, but you DID ask.
Reply:I know what you mean.





Its almost like its intolerable to have a common name - even though the custom names are quite dumb.





I know a guy whose initials ended up being "WAD" because his parents simply couldn't resist giving him a weird first name and middle name.
Reply:I think its because they want their children to stand out and not have the same name as other children in the class. Be that as it may, when you start giving children names like Apple, Pear etc or changing the spelling of names that really is going to far. But that's just my opinion
Reply:


I'm just guessing that they don't want the child named the same as another child. They want their child to have an individual personality and name. But usually the opposite happens, the child becomes resentful of a unique name.
Reply:I think over-used names just don't make it feel as special for people. It's like if suddenly diamonds were free and everyone had them, they wouldn't be so desired. But there should be a limit to 'unique'. Some names these days are just absurd.
Reply:People are obsessed with having a unique child and they feel that a unique name makes a unique child. Unfortunately many kids end up with names that are difficult to spell and pronounce and these kids are no more unique than anyone else.
Reply:because it's annoying to have to go by Mike W, Mike N, Mike K, etc because you're the 12th Mike in your class. (just as an example)
Reply:Stupid question.





People have different tastes. Here I was thinking that was OBVIOUS.
Reply:i think they want there child to be special and exactly as u say unique


they want to stand out. :] hope this helps